City Council

July 11, 2017 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 11th day of July, 2017, at the Public Safety Building located at 500 Quincy Street in Fairmont, West Virginia. Mayor Mainella called the meeting to order. Councilmembers present were: First District Marianne Moran Second District Frank G. Yann Fourth District Kenneth (Brad) Merrifield Fifth District Fran Warner Sixth District Dora Kay Grubb (arrived late) Seventh District Philip R. (Phil) Mason Eighth District Thomas (Tom) Mainella Ninth District Ronald J. (Ron) Straight, Sr. Absent: Third District Robert (Rob) Linger Also present were: City Manager Robin I. Gomez City Clerk Janet L. Keller City Attorney Kevin Sansalone IN RE: EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER LINGER Councilmember Yann moved to excuse Councilmember Linger from tonight’s meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Moran. The Mayor declared Councilmember Linger excused by voice vote of Council. IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES Rev. DD Meighen gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Straight. 1  APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Mainella noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on June 27, 2017. Councilmember Straight moved to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Yann. The Mayor declared the minutes approved as submitted by voice vote of Council. IN RE: INTRODUCTION OF DR. STEVE JONES, INTERIM PRESIDENT OF FAIRMONT STATE UNIVERSITY Dr. Jones stated that he wanted to introduce himself to Council. He said he grew up in Cumberland, MD and left that region in 1970 and has now lived in 13 different states. He said that he is serving as the Interim President of FSU until a permanent President is named. PUBLIC HEARINGS IN RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING ORDINANCE NO. 1423 CODIFIED AS PART ONE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, AND MORE PARTICULARLY, CHAPTER SEVEN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND AUTHORITIES, ARTICLE 162 FAIRMONT PARKS COMMISSION, SECTION .09 RULES AND REGULATIONS THEREOF TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPLICABILITY OF SAID RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ALL MUNICIPAL PROPERTIES WITHIN THE CITY’S PUBLIC PARK AND RECREATION SYSTEM UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMMISSION Pursuant to a notice duly published in the Times-West Virginian on July 3, 2017, a public hearing was convened to obtain citizen input on a proposed ordinance amending the code regarding Fairmont Parks Commission to provide for the applicability of said Rules and Regulations to all municipal parks. The Mayor asked if anyone present desired to speak to the proposed ordinance. Mr. Gomez explained that this ordinance is to adopt the Rules and Regulations that were previously only applicable to Palatine Park to the eight city parks. He said more specifically to clarify the opening and closing hours 2 which will be as posted at each individual park and other specific rules what patrons may or may not use including certain vehicles that may not be utilized within the footprints or confines of our eight city parks. ED VINCENT, 606 Maple Avenue, spoke in opposition to the ordinance. He said that he keeps seeing that this means that the rules applicable to Palatine Park will not be applicable to all parks. He asked if that means Palatine Park has a rule against dogs and that dogs are not allowed in all of the parks. Mr. Gomez responded by saying that the rules for each park are posted at each park. Palatine Park used to be a City of Fairmont park and is no longer a City of Fairmont Park. Our ordinance only made reference that all of these rules and guidelines in this ordinance were only applicable to Palatine and now the change is that these rules and guidelines is now applicable in the current eight city parks not Palatine Park. He noted that Palatine Park is under the jurisdiction of the Marion County Commissioners. There being no one else to speak, the public hearing was called to a close at 7:14 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RE: 1ST FRIDAY EVENT Councilmember Moran stated that Main Street’s 1st Friday event was supposed to be last Friday but the storms came so it is schedule for this Friday at 6:00 p.m. at Veteran’s Square. IN RE: SHREDDING DAY Councilmember Mason said last Thursday was shredding day at 1042 Morgantown Avenue and 9,340 lbs. of paper was shredded. He added that the benefit went to the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County. The Mayor noted that was a good benefit project. IN RE: FIRST RESPONDERS PROGRAM The Mayor reported that he, Councilmember Moran and Mr. Gomez attended the First Responders Program at Palatine Park last Sunday. He reported that awards were given out to four City employees: Captain David Perkins, Officer Jakob Streyle, Lt. John Murphy, and retired detective Bruce 3 Toothman. CITIZENS PETITIONS There were no citizen’s petitions for this meeting. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT IN RE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS Mr. Gomez said that we are getting numerous interest from developers for several of our older historic buildings in downtown. He said that we had a pleasant increase that started a couple years ago, a sizeable increase in the level and activity in building construction permits for both residential and commercial. We increased from a little over $17.5 million in valuation to over $30 million from FY16 to FY17. A very positive indicator that there is investment in our city. IN RE: FIRST RESPONDERS PROGRAM The City Manager noted that we had first responders that were recognized last week for their dedication and service to the City of Fairmont. IN RE: 1ST FRIDAY EVENT Mr. Gomez encouraged and invited everyone to come to the 1 st Friday this coming Friday at Veterans Square. IN RE: PAVING UPDATE The Manager continued to ask for patience and cooperation as we begin paving our streets. He noted the contractor did complete the milling of 15 streets and hopes to begin paving later this week or next week. IN RE: UTILITY BILLS Mr. Gomez reminded everyone that utility bills can be received electronically. You do not have to pay your bill electronically or online but you can sign up to receive an email that arrives at your computer. 4  CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS IN RE: ADOPTION, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING ORDINANCE NO. 1423 CODIFIED AS PART ONE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, AND MORE PARTICULARLY, CHAPTER SEVEN BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND AUTHORITIES, ARTICLE 162 FAIRMONT PARKS COMMISSION, SECTION .09 RULES AND REGULATIONS THEREOF TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPLICABILITY OF SAID RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ALL MUNICIPAL PROPERTIES WITHIN THE CITY’S PUBLIC PARK AND RECREATION SYSTEM UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMMISSION Mayor Mainella entertained a motion for the adoption of an ordinance amending the code regarding Fairmont Parks Commission to provide for the applicability of said Rules and Regulations to all municipal parks. Motion: Councilmember Moran moved for the adoption of the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Straight seconded the motion. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared the ordinance adopted by unanimous vote of those Councilmembers present and the ordinance designated as Ordinance No. 1747. IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT APPROVING THE FORM OF THAT CERTAIN SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM AGREEMENT COMMENCING JULY 1, 2017, AND UNTIL TERMINATED, BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE COUNTY OF MARION AND AUTHORIZING AND EMPOWERING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT Mayor Mainella entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution approving the School Resource Officer Program Agreement between the City of Fairmont and the Marion County Board of Education. Motion: 5 Councilmember Mason moved for the adoption of the proposed resolution and the reading of a synopsis in lieu of the entire resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Warner. The Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis for the first time. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted by unanimous vote of those Councilmembers present. ADJOURNMENT The Mayor entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion: Councilmember Mason moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Yann. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 7:27 p.m. 6